“Basketball is something that is definitely a segue to life,” says Indiana basketball standout Luke Zeller in the introductory video to the basketball training program — DistinXion — that he created and operates with his family.What makes this training and youth camp program distinct among sports camps is that DistinXion — which also includes Luke’s brothers Tyler and Cody, parents Steve and Lorri, and wife Hope on staff — combines elite baskeball and cheerleading instruction with lessons on leadership, character building, work ethic and more. “If you learn that through basketball, it’s fantastic because for the rest of life that’ll apply and be able to help you out when you have a job or when you have a family,” Luke says.The Zeller Family program teaches the life skills by focusing on nine principles grouped in an acronym the Zellers call CHAMPIONS posted on their gymnasium wall (right).

DistinXion, a nonprofit 501(C)3 organization, offers three programs:

• Basketball Camps — open to students entering second through eighth grades. There will be 13 weekend camp sessions at locations around the state starting in May.
• Private Basketball Training — open for players from second grade through high school.
• Cheerleading camps —  open to high school and junior high squads. High school students with basketball/cheerleading experience are welcome to apply for volunteer positions, directly helping the professional and college athletes.

The schedules for the 2013 camps will be available Feb. 1. For information about the programs and the dates and locations around Indiana, visit www.DistinXion.org. You can also get information by calling 812-250-9594.

Also see:

• A Higher Goal: this month’s featured story, an interview with Steve and Lorri Zeller

• The Stellar Zellers, an update on the careers of Luke, Tyler and Cody Zeller